After surviving a no-confidence motion in parliament over a hugely unpopular pension reform, French President Emmanuel Macron will unveil plans on Wednesday, the government spokesperson said.
As spontaneous protests erupted hours after Macron’s administration barely won the parliamentary vote, police detained over 200 individuals nationwide on Monday evening.
Macron is relieved the vote failed. That would have brought down his administration and stopped the retirement age increase to 64.
“The prime minister (Elisabeth Borne) placed herself in the hands of parliament and in that sense she has been soothed by parliament,” government spokesperson Oliver Veran told RTL radio.
“Only the prime minister can implement a government programme today.”
Polls show that most French oppose the reform and its decision to push through the bill. The anger was felt as protesters took to the streets in cities across the country, opposition lawmakers vowed to force a U-turn, and unions prepared for nationwide action on Thursday.
Ongoing strikes at petrol depots in southeastern France have led to shortages and rationing, forcing the government on Tuesday to order the requisitioning of staff to ensure supplies. Strikes also continue to impact the transport sector.
In some of central Paris’ most prestigious avenues, firefighters scrambled Monday evening to put out burning rubbish piles left uncollected for days due to strikes as protesters played cat-and-mouse with police for a fifth night.
What may concern the executive is the large number of young people in the demonstrations.
Police temporarily fired tear gas and charged demonstrators in numerous towns on television. In addition, special motorbike police officers assaulted demonstrators.
It led U.N. Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Association Clément Voule to tweet that police should not use excessive force.
